Let’s be honest, out of all the season, summer is the one that makes us want to do nothing. We just want to chill. We don’t want plans or schedules. Trying to stay productive in summer is not our top priority.
We want to be flexible, see where the sunny summer days take us. We’re not saying that’s a bad thing, but what we are saying is that now that we’re adults (ugh, I know), summers look a bit different than they did when we were kids.
Gone are the days when we have our last day of school and we’re “free” for at least two months. Now summer is here and we still have many of – or even all of – the same responsibilities we have the rest of the year.
We have work to go to. Or, we have jobs to apply to. We have bills and rent to pay. We have responsibilities that don’t just magically disappear now that the summer is here, no matter how much we wish they did.
You Can Have a Fun Summer but Also Stay Productive
We’re not saying that summer stinks now that we’re in our 20s, but we are saying they look different. You can – and should – still enjoy the summer season too. But, it’s also important to stay productive, even when summer makes you want to do the complete opposite.
The good news is that there are some easy – and maybe even fun?! – tips and tricks that will help you stay productive this summer. Who knows, you may even find yourself enjoying summer still, too.
Give Summer Productivity a Different Definition
The first thing? When it comes to summer productivity, redefine what the phrase means for you. Don’t have the all-or-nothing mindset – this is true all year but especially in the summer.
When it comes to being productive in the summer, prioritize your consistency over intensity. How so? Instead of trying to complete every goal on your list perfectly, make steady progress each week. Or instead of focusing on something for 8 or 10 hours a day, do your most important tasks first and get them out of the way.
A summer that’s productive doesn’t mean that you did everything intentionally every single minute. It’s one that has help you progress, and you notice that forward movement, once September comes.
Work Earlier, Enjoy Later
The sun is out for much longer in the summer, use that to your advantage. Mornings tend to be cooler, quieter and less distracting. You may want to sleep all day and stay up all night, but you may just find that the morning hours are the best time for you to get things done and still get to enjoy the rest of the summer day.
Dedicate 8 AM – 11 AM for your hardest work or studying – whatever you need to do. Then from 11 AM – 1 PM focus on lighter tasks or errands. Now that you’ve already been productive for half the day, you can go and enjoy summer fun, social plans, and so on. This way your day is a good balance of productivity and relaxation, which we know is important!
Of course, if you have a steady 9-5 this time frame may not work for you, but if you can load your calendar up with the “bigger” tasks and meetings in the morning, you may just see a difference in your day and productivity, too. Plus, it’s still light outside at 5 PM for you to go and meet some friends after work and enjoy!
Create “Summer-Friendly” Work Sessions
You may not believe this, but there are some things you can do to make work feel less miserable. If you work remotely, at least one or two days a week, work from a cafe, library or outdoor space whenever possible. Additionally, whether or not you’re remote, you should use short focus sprints.
Focus for 25-50 minutes to get tasks done, and then give yourself a break. It’s even better if it’s a movement break; it’s so important to get up and move! Another thing – as summer can get hot, be sure to keep your workspace cool and hydrate more than you probably think you need to.
Basically when it comes to a “summer-friendly” work session, remember that your environment matters. Your setup can make focusing harder so look for ways to create a task or work environment that will make it easier to stay productive in summer.
Build Accountability into Your Summer
We know that routines tend to loosen during the summer, which is why it’s important to stay consistent. Schedule weekly check-ins with friends or co-working sessions with peers.
Keep track of your progress, whether privately in a journal or publicly, whichever one motivates you. You can also use a habit-tracking app to help keep you accountable and on track.
Another idea? Pull a friend in to keep you accountable on your goals. Accountability will work best for you when you feel supportive, like from a friend.
Don’t Fall Into an Endless Doom Scroll in the Evenings
We’ll be blunt – we’re all guilty of getting on our phones and doom scrolling. This is true even in the summer when there is so much to do, see and enjoy. We know that doom scrolling is such a productivity killer, and yet we succumb to it anyway. That’s not all, either.
Social media can make us feel like everyone else is getting to enjoy their summer on vacation, doing fun things, or soaking up the sun while we’re stuck at work. This comparison can drain motivation, which is the opposite of what we want to happen. This is why it’s important not to fall into that endless doom scroll, both during the day and in the evenings.
Some ways to do these are by setting app limits during work hours and keeping your phone in a completely different room during focus sessions. You should also choose one intentional leisure activity into your evenings instead of endless scrolling. This will make sure you’re getting out and enjoying the warm summer weather, while still being productive earlier in the day.
Final Thoughts on How to Stay Productive In Summer
When it comes to being productive in the summer, instead of the goal being to get things done, reframe the goal to be to have a summer you will be proud of. Stop seeing productivity and enjoyment as opposites and instead find ways – like some of the above – to make getting things done fun.
This may seem like a lot, and we get it, so choose one of these tips to start implementing now, and then as you get into a routine, introduce another one. Come September, you’ll be proud of how much you got done and how much fun you still had this summer!
About the Author
Michelle graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelors of Arts '13 and a Master of Arts '14. She's currently working in corporate America with a side of freelance writing. She wants you to learn from her experiences and mistakes so your 20s can be your best decade. When she's not working, she's likely planning her escape to a tropical island.